Former Gender Equality Official Defends Jung Woo-sung’s Son: 'Not Illegitimate, Just His Son’

A former official from the Ministry of Gender Equality has spoken out about the Jung Woo-sung scandal.

On the 1st, Kim Hee-kyung, the former Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family, shared a post on her Facebook page. The post addressed actor Jung Woo-sung having a child out of wedlock with model Moon Gabi. Kim argued against labeling Jung Woo-sung's son as "illegitimate," urging a more considerate approach.

Former Vice Minister Kim Hee-kyung stated, "Classifying children as 'illegitimate' or 'legitimate' based on their parents' marital status perpetuates prejudice."

She added, "The term 'illegitimate child' stems from a parent-centered perspective and places a negative stigma on the child." Kim also pointed out that a past government survey on family diversity revealed that 76% of citizens supported eliminating the distinction between 'legitimate' and 'illegitimate' children.

Kim emphasized, "Let’s stop using the outdated, discriminatory term 'illegitimate child,' which many already find obsolete. Focus on the child. They’re not an 'illegitimate child'; they’re simply a son."

Meanwhile, Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, announced plans to propose legislation introducing a "registered cohabitation" system. This system would allow couples to receive tax and welfare benefits through cohabitation registration without formal marriage.

On Facebook, Na remarked, "There has been recent controversy over non-marital births. While this is a different issue, it reflects growing interest in diverse forms of family and birth."

She mentioned the case of registered partnerships in France, stating, "The PACS (Pacte Civil de Solidarité) introduced in 1999 is considered a key factor in lowering the barriers to marriage for young people and addressing the low birthrate issue."

She compared the differences between registered partnerships and legal marriages in detail, explaining, "Registered partnerships are contractual relationships that end with the termination of the contract, whereas legal marriages require a divorce process. Registered partnerships do not involve alimony or property division, but such discussions are mandatory in legal marriages. However, registered partnerships also provide various benefits, such as family allowances and unemployment benefits."

Representative Na pointed out, "High barriers to marriage lead to trends of late marriage and non-marriage, which in turn raise the age of first-time mothers." She expressed concern, saying, "When the age of first-time mothers increases, it becomes more difficult to have a second child, exacerbating the low birthrate problem."

Representative Na emphasized that a registered partnership system is necessary not only to address the low birthrate issue but also as a way to protect children born out of wedlock. She announced plans to prepare related legislation and submit it soon.

Meanwhile, Jung Woo-sung and Moon Ga-bi reportedly met at a gathering in 2022. They kept in touch afterward, and Moon Ga-bi became pregnant, giving birth this past March.

A paternity test confirmed that the child is Jung Woo-sung's son.

Jung Woo-sung and Moon Ga-bi, even while maintaining a relationship, were not officially dating, and Jung Woo-sung stated that he currently has no plans to marry Moon Ga-bi.

He said, "I will take full responsibility as a father to the child."